Feeling secure at Bam Bou

KRISTIN2GO AFTER DARKFeeling secure at the Bam BouAl 'Rage' Walker will make sure you're safe

KRISTIN FINAN, Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Published 6:30 am, Friday, January 25, 2008

Photo: JOHNNY HANSON, CHRONICLE

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Bam Bou opened its doors Wednesday in Rice Village.

Bam Bou opened its doors Wednesday in Rice Village.

Photo: JOHNNY HANSON, CHRONICLE

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The dance floor at Bam Bou starts hopping.

The dance floor at Bam Bou starts hopping.

Photo: JOHNNY HANSON, CHRONICLE

Feeling secure at Bam Bou

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Al "Rage" Walker is a man of many distinctions.

Sometimes he's a professional wrestler, flinging bodies across a ring with a single flip of his hand while using his name to travel the talk-show circuit lobbying for his favorite charities.

Other times he's guarding the bodies of the rich and famous, like Mary J. Blige, Mark Cuban and Mr. T.

And then there's his full-time job: Organizing security for some of Houston's hottest clubs.

"It's a relaxing job," he said.

Relaxing?

"I don't have any problems with anybody, so it's relaxing to me. I'm a people person."

At 6 feet 3 and 320 pounds and with a diet philosophy of "no fat, no drugs — just red beans and rice," Walker is not easily intimidated.

Which should come in handy for his latest charge — heading security for Bam Bou, a sleek Rice Village lounge that celebrated its grand opening last week.

Located in the space formerly occupied by Gatsby Social Club, Bam Bou is aiming to attract a hip, trendy crowd of 25- to 45-year-olds looking for good music in a chic atmosphere.

"I always thought it was the perfect place for a club," said co-owner Daniel Tellez, who also owns downtown's Venue. "It's the true upscale place in town."

On Wednesday, when the club hosted a private Latin-themed VIP party, a crowd (fun fact: a former Miss Peru was there) filled the dance floor as live music poured from the stage.

Outside, Walker stood guard, opening doors and greeting people as they walked in.

"We give you the red-carpet treatment," said Walker, who is in charge of security at both Venue and Bam Bou. "You come here, you're going to be treated with A-1 class."

For Walker, it's a shift from two decades earlier, when a chance meeting with WWE superstar Ric "Nature Boy" Flair inspired him to pursue a career in professional wrestling.

"It was a weird thing, because here it is, I'm seeing a guy that I've seen on TV since I was little," said Walker, who sat next to Flair on a flight from New Jersey to Houston.

"I was already curious about wrestling, but I never knew anybody who was in it. He told me I should try it out."

Around the same time, Walker began body guarding for celebrities on the side, which he still does.

"You know when you walk out the door your life may be on the line, but that comes with the job," the 43-year-old said.

In general, though, Walker said people respond pretty well when he asks them to stop questionable behavior.

"I normally approach a guy and say, 'Look, it can go one of two ways — A or B. A, we can talk about this and you can go about your business and everything will be fine. Or B, we can go to the next level, and you're not going to like the results of it,' " Walker said. "Normally, they pick A."

Walker's not expecting any issues from the crowd he anticipates will gravitate to Bam Bou. But, just in case, you should know that when you're there, he's got your back.

"I want people to feel at home and comfortable," Walker said. "We make sure all your needs are met."